Aeolus - This is a huge wreck that was sunk as a reef and was at one time intact, after a storm it became broken up. Now it is much more challenging wreck as you can get lost. The wreck is 426ft long and sits in 120fsw, the marine life can be amazing at times here. It has no artifact value.
Amagagansett - This wreck is a small fishing vessel sunk in a violent storm. It sits in a 120-130 fsw. This wreck is great for getting flounder, and you can find an occasional artifact.
Atlas - This wreck attracts lots of flounder and huge sand tigers are known to hang out here. Vis. can be quite good and quite bad at times here. The wreck is worth doing. Vessel is a 430 ft long tanker, it lays in 120 fsw.
Benson - This wreck sits in 100 fsw. It is pretty much in tack, artifacts can be found and marine life is abundant. Even an occasional lobster can be found here. The wreck is not dived as much as it deserves to be. Vessel is a tanker 456 x 60 x 36.
Caribsea - The wreck lays in 80 fsw and is pretty much dived everyday. It is a good easy dive for beginners as it has lots of marine life to look at. Vessel is freighter 251 x 43 x 25.
City
of Houston - This wreck rests in 95 fsw and is a wreck divers dream. It was transporting general goods when it went down and it is covered with broken pieces of china. A diver willing to spend time digging in various places will find china and silverware and other artifacts from the 18th century. Vessel is a freighter 290 x 33 x 20.
Dixie
Arrow - This wreck lays in 95 fsw. You can often see large turtle's and manta rays on this wreck. Vast schools of fish often frequent this wreck. An occasional artifact can be found. Vessel is a tanker 468 x 62 x 32.
EM Clark -The max depth of 255 fsw can be reached on this wreck. This is a very good dive and challenging for a tech diver. The currents here are so strong at times that the wreck is un-divable. The artifacts that can be found here include china, portholes, and light cages. A diver should be very skilled before diving this wreck. Vessel is a tanker 499 x 68 x 30.
FW
Abrams - This wreck sits in 90 fsw. The wreck to me was unimpressive, and I saw nothing there that was a lure to draw me back for another trip. I am not saying that the dive cannot be enjoyable due to the warm, clear water, but that was not what I was after in a wreck dive. Vessel is a tanker 467 x 62 x 31.
Manuela - This wreck sits in 160 fsw. The wreck is a great dive and a must do for any serious wreck diver. Artifacts can be found here. The wreck was confused for years as the Malchace. Gary Gentile found the bell positively identifying it as the Manuela. Many charts still have these two wrecks confused. Sometimes you can find some large grouper on this wreck, one of my dive buddies had a 20 pound grouper on his spear and a barracuda took it. Vessel is a freighter 393 x 55 x 28.
Malchace - This wreck sits in 208 fsw. It is a very good dive because it is rarely dived due to its depth. Portholes can be found and retrieved if the diver is prepared to spend the time and deco to do it. There are many large grouper on this wreck and for spearfishermen it is a real treat. But you must always remember you are at over 200 ft and should not exert a lot of energy working or spearfishing at this depth. Vessel is a freighter 333 x 48 x 24.
Mr
JC - This is a tug that is part of an artificial reef. It sits in 70 fsw and is fully in tack. It is a great dive for new divers and it has lots of marine life and is easy to navigate. However it sometimes is not in the Gulf Stream blue water due to how close into shore it lays. All serious wreck divers should avoid this wreck.
Mexicana - This wreck sits in 140 fsw and has been mis-identified as the Equipoise, many artifacts have come up in the last few years indicating that it is the Mexicana (i.e. the telegraph and coins). It is worth diving and finding the answer to its true identity. The water can be quite cold on the bottom (49 degrees). This should not be a recreational dive but a technical dive. There are a few lobsters to be found.
Proteous - This wreck sits in 130 fsw. I consider this wreck to be worth diving any time you get a chance. You will often encounter sand tigers, cobia, and large schools of bait fish. The prop can be found on the stern section and many artifacts are still there. The wreck is very photogenic. All divers will enjoy this wreck. Vessel is a Passenger Freighter 390 x 48 x 29.
Papoose - This wreck sits in 125 fsw. The wreck sits upside down and is an attraction because of the large schools of Sand tigers that frequent this wreck. The marine life that seems to be on this wreck is overwhelming. It is not uncommon to have 3 or 4 dive boats visiting it at a time. It is truly worth diving. Vessel is a tanker 412 x 53 x 31.
San
Delfino - This wreck sits in 200 fsw The wreck sits on its keel and is one of the best dives I have ever done. It is infrequently dived and is a major attraction for marine life. On a single dive I recovered a porthole, located two more, saw a school of yellow fin tuna, a manta ray, a shark, bull head dolphins, wahoo, and amberjack. The wreck is worth doing every chance you get. This is definitely a technical dive. Vessel is a tanker 463 x 61 x 33.
Schurz - This wreck sits in 110 fsw. Although this wreck is dived every weekend, it will still give up artifacts. The marine life is abundant with large schools of bait fish, manta rays, and even turtles. The avid artifact hunter can find porcelain tiles, gun shells, and I even saw a diver find a 1906 Indian Head penny. Vessel is a gun boat 255 x 32 x 14.
U-352 - This sub sits in 110 fsw. This is one of the most popular dive sites off North Carolina because of its history. Not many people can say they dived a German Sub. After one dive to me it is not worth returning, been there, dived it, get the T-shirt at the local dive shop. Vessel is a German sub 218 x 20 x 18.
Virginia
Wrecks
4a
Dry Dock - This wreck is in 72 fsw and is a good learning dive. I do not know any history of this wreck, but it is a fun place to dive as there are lobsters and fishto be had. You can even go to another part of the wreck over open sand. This will give a diver the skills to run a wreck reel or use a compass. He must also learn how to manage his air, by learning this, it will make him a betterdiver.
Carolina Breeze - The CB is a 86ft fishing trawler that sunk on Oct. 7th, 2000. The Coast Guard air lifted 5 crewman in stormy weather 33 miles off our coast here, the Capt, Billy Haver remained on his vessel along with one crewman in an effort to save it from sinking. The Coast Guard returned to the site after dropping off the 5 crewman and refueling, to find the vessel had sunk and only the crewman could be found. The Capt. had gone down with his ship trapped in the Cabin. Commercial divers recovered his body Oct 12th, 2000. The dive boat "Miss Lindsey" had already been to the site in Nov while I was diving in FL, on Jan 7 ,2001 would be my first look at it and I wanted photos for my web site. The wreck sits in 90ft of water on its keel 33 miles NNE of Rudee Inlet, Va Beach , Va. The water temp was 41 degrees top to bottom this time of year. The wreck has a temporary mooring line on it and we tied the boat to it. The mast and rigging rise to 46ft and can be a mess to go around in low vis like we had of only 10 or so feet. I entered the PilotHouse and went down the stairs to galley. The galley crews berthing, Capt berthing, and head are very small. It is a very tight place to be with blankets, bedding, curtains, and such floating around. Though I had hopes of finding something with the name on it as a artifact for display, it does not exist on the wreck. I looked for china in the galley and found that the crew was eating off paper plates and plastic forks, it is the way they do it today. I found a frying pan and one pot, I did not want either one. Then I came across a china bowl, it still has the bar code on it as it must have been just purchased. I took it and will place it with the other things I have to display. It is an eerie feeling one gets being on a wreck that has just claimed a life. I could see a line that I believe the commercial divers used to pull the body out and it stuck in my mind. I took several photos for my site and started up.
Chenango - This is only a guess at the name as no artifacts to prove this has been recovered . The site is in 139 fsw and offers a diver a chance to be the one to solve its history. It is not dived much due to its location far from shore. I would not pass this one up. The wreck is of considerable size and the bottom is cold , do not take this wreck lightly it can get you lost . As it rest up side down and the most unmistakeable piece is the stern. The prop has been removed and the shaft is exposed . Lobster and fish are found here also. Vessel is believed to be a Freighter 342 x 46 x 22
Clythia (aka The Marble Wreck)- This wreck is also known as the marble wreck and is in 20fsw at the Va -NC border . This wreck can be seen at low tide and at high tide is fully covered. Many a boat has lost or damaged their prop as they did not know of its presence and were only aware of it after their costly encounter. I did not know that this wreck requires a permit from the state to dive or remove anything . I'm not sure about the diving part , but you must have a permit to take artifacts from here . I first dived this after seeing it at low tide on a fishing trip, After diving it and going inside I learned its name from Gary Gentiles' book. He has it pointing bow out to sea, which is incorrect. The bow is facing inshore and broken off. The rudder is pointing out to sea and the wreck is best entered here as there is a hole next to it . The cargo holds are found here and still contain the marble slabs it was carrying. This dive is a low to no vis dive and can be very hard with the surge and waves next to the beach. Iron -hulled bark sailing vessel 214 x 33 x 22
Consoles (aka 1800 Line) - This wreck is in 85 fsw and is great dive. It was the second wreck I ever dived. The wreck lay up side down and is only in tact on the stern section. The prop is still there and is covered with a net. A diver can go inside here and look around as there are many holes from which to exit. Keep in mind that one should only do this during the day so that you can see how to get out. To go in at night you are better off using a line as it is hard to see the exits without light from the sun. This wreck has many artifacts for those that wish to look for them. Vessel is believed to be a freighter 350 x 46 x 16
Cutlass - This wreck I know little about. The name is a made up name and does not mean anything for the wreck. It lay at 110-115 fsw and is only showing the ribs and bow out of the sand. The wreck has great potential As an artifact dive. Many things have come up already, a sword, deadeye, and other things. Vessel is believed to be a sailing ship around 140ft, some think this could be the Hattie Dunn.
Cuyahoga - The wreck rest in 120 fsw and is an artificial wreck, it is a lobster hang out and flounder are sometime found here. Since it is small and intact it gives a diver a chance to do something a little deeper here without fear of getting lost . The wreck has no artifact value, but is a very cool dive to do. Vessel is a Coast Guard cutter 125 x 24 x 8
Eureka - This wreck is one of the most favored sites by artifact divers, this wreck is one that every wreck diver must dive at least once. It was carrying general goods when it went down and it is a wreck that can always be dived with the hope of finding something. This wreck will never be over dived due to how far offshore it sits. Depth is 115 fsw. So don't ever pass on a chance to go, but don't only go here either as you will get bored with the old girl. Vessel is a Coastal Freighter 351 x 42 x 32
Frankfurt- Sunk as part of the Billy Mitchell Fleet in 1921 it is the deepest wreck of the fleet. At a depth of 420 fsw it sits on its keel. The mast comes up to nearly 300 ft and is covered in a net. When I dived her I was greeted by a Manta Ray at the mast and it followed me down to the wreck. The wreck is an awesome sight and for the 10 mins. I spent on her I will never forget. Vessel is a German Light Cruiser 465x45x17
G-102 - The wreck is part of the Billy Mitchell Fleet that was sunk in 1921. The depth of the wreck is 350 fsw and should only be dived by the very best wreck divers. The vessel sits on her keel and has very little relief. Vessel is a German Torpedo-boat Destroyer 312x 30 x 9
Gulf
Hustler - This site is small and a good training dive for newbies, since it is 66 fsw it is highly favored by the once in a while diver as he will feel safe here. All hard core wreckers avoid this wreck. Spearfishermen should dive this wreck in the fall. The wreck is totally covered with bait fish. A spearfisherman can hover over top the wreck and shoot school kings and large Spanish mackerel. Vessel is a Fishing trawler 85 ft
Hanks - The Hanks sits in 60 fsw and said to be a Coast Guard cutter. The wreck lays on its starboard side and is in tack but very small. There are no artifacts on this wreck. I did see a diver shoot a 24 lb taug on this wreck.
Lillian
Luckenback - The wreck is great dive and is in 105 fsw. Many fish and lobster have made her their home. The chance to find an artifact here is good. But getting it to the boat will be harder as most are of size. Vessel is a Freighter 448 x 60 x 28
John
Morgan - This is the most popular dive site here in Virginia, although I am sick of diving her, I know that the first few times here are a wreck divers dream. She went down on her maiden voyage with a full cargo of arms for the war. The wreck can be hard at times with vis. down to 3 or 4 ft and with a debris field that is confusing. The wreck is easy to get lost on. There is a monument placed on this wreck to the men and women who lost their lives in WW Two. This wreck is worth the trip to see it. Vessel is a Liberty ship 423 x 57 x 34
Marine
Electric- The sinking of this wreck in 1983 in a storm caused many new changes in the inspection and safety of these vessels. When I first dived the wreck I was amazed by the size of it and that was only the stern. The midbody and bow are broken off and sit at different locations than the stern. Many artifacts can be found here as well as fish and lobsters. The wreck is a great dive. Only those with years of diving and training should attempt to go inside this wreck. I once tried a massive study of the inside on a solo dive and had to call the dive due to stress. I will go back and try this again in a team effort to do the study of the inside. Depth 130 fsw
T-E Bulk carrier 605 X 75 X 47
Monroe - This wreck sits in less than 90 ft. The site is well broken down, but I have seen several portholes and other artifacts worth recovering if one has the time and skill. The wreck can be challenging to a new diver because of low vis that is sometimes on the wreck. Lots of fish can be find on the wreck in the fall. Passenger-freighter 345 X 46 X 29
No
Name (aka Brass Spike) - This wreck ( 85fsw ) is nick named the Brass Spike because one is able to recover the brass pins that were used to build her, little else is known about her other then it is old and made of wood. The site at times can be a great dive, I first dived this wreck when a fisherman gave me the numbers. On that first dive the group was overwhelmed by the number of fish on this site. I got caught sitting on this site by a head boat and the number of fish has never been the same, soon everyone knew of it. Vessel is a thought to be a sailing ship, 150ft
Ocean
Venture - This wreck does not hold good memories for me as I saw a diver lose his life here. The wreck sits in a 160 fsw and is a great dive. It has a lot of artifacts on her and is not dived very much. This site should be a stepping stone for those who are ready. Do not go to dive here unless you are a proven deco diver and I believe one should have already done many cold low vis dives before moving on to these deep wrecks. Vessel is a Freighter 425 x 57 x 34
Ostfriesland - Sunk as part of the Billy Mitchell Fleet in 1921 it is a very large wreck. The wreck sits in 380 fsw and is turtled , it has relief up to 325 fsw. When I dived this wreck we were hooked near the stern. Lots of artifacts lay in this area and the stern has broken free at the engine room and has settled down 20 ft lower than the hull. Rick Atkins recovered a porthole on this dive and many more just lay there. Vessel is a German Battleship 546 x 93 x 29
Paddle
Wheeler - The wreck sets in 105 fsw and is very small. On our first trip here 15 lobsters were caught and several big flounder were taken. The wreck did not appear to be worth nothing more than a lobster hang out.
Powell - This site only proves that it is wreckage. To me it will always be a mass of nothing more than metal. There seems to be a lot of lobsters in the spring here as well as flounder. In 90 fsw it is an easy dive and has little artifact value. Vessel is a Tanker 431 x 59 x 33
Phil
Mar - This wreck I would dive from time to time to gather lobsters. On one such dive I noticed a letter in the sand, trying to move the sand by hand I was able to expose several letters before I had to go. The following weekend a small group of divers returned with me to see if we could find its full name and solve its history. Jim Cobb fully exposed the name with his scooter as others tried to figure what it said at a 105ft I took photos of the name and of the prop. Later I received the email below on the wreck.
"It is a fishing trawler from Vandemere , NC The Phil Mar was a 83 foot Coast Guard patrol boat converted to a trawler. She was powered by 2 671 gray marines and later repowered by GM 671s before they became Detroit's. She was owned by Earl Holton from Vandemere now deceased. My father Clarence Rose quit running her in the fall of 1964 because she was in so bad shape. I think she sunk in 65 or 66 and was being run by someone from the Vandemere area. My father worked her from Cape Canaveral to Georges Banks over the years and trawled for lobsters up north (ironic). My brother has a good picture of her I will try to send it to you. Tom Rose"
Santore - This site is only 7miles out and has been wire dragged, it sits in 50-55 fsw and does not look like a wreck. I prefer to dive someplace else. Vessel is a BulkCargo Carrier 449 x 57 x 34
Tercel
Tug - Also known as the Kern, it lays in two pieces. The bow is upside down and the stern sits on her keel, they are about 80ft apart. The depth is 100 fsw and is a nice dive for lookers and fish hunters. I do not believe this wreck has any artifact value.
Tiger - This wreck in no way looks like a wreck as I would picture one. It was wire dragged as it was a hazard to navigation and now is more of a reef. The site is 60 fsw and is a good night dive for lobster and flounder.
Ricks - The wreck is a trawler and sits in 85 fsw. The wreck has no artifact value but sometimes sea bass and tautog are abundant here. It is a nice dive for the midrange diver.
Trepca - I have no history of this wreck and it does not look like it has any artifacts to offer. It sits in 115 fsw and has very little relief. The wreck is of wood base and really broken up. It is a great place to hunt fish and lobsters.
Tower
Reef - The reef is actually a lot of vessels sunk just in side of the Chesapeake Light Tower. They have no artifact value, but a great place to hunt for fish and lobster.
U-117- This German sub was sunk as part of the Billy Mitchell Fleet on June 22, 1921. It rest in 230 fsw. The sub sits on her keel and has a net draped over it. The vis when I dived her was incredible. Vbtech dived this wreck as a second dive after diving the U140 in the morning. It was a very cool dive. The wreck is very much intact considering it has been on the bottom for eighty years. A video of the wreck shot by Rick Atkins on the same day I dived it can be seen in the photo gallery. 267 X 24 X 13
U-140- This is another German sun that was sunk as part of the Billy Mitchell Fleet on June 22, 1921. It rest in 270 fsw. I dived her at first light along with Jim Cobb as my buddy, other Vbtech divers also dived her. Vis was extremely poor due to the wreck hook having snagged a net that lay over part of her and the constant pulling of the boat stirred up the bottom. Jim and I also had run away scooters on this dive which also help stir up the bottom when we tried to contain them by dead heading them against the bottom. 311 X 29 X 17
V-43- The wreck is part of the Billy Mitchell Fleet that was sunk 1921. When I dived the wreck I had no idea of the large Grouper that lived on the wreck, at a max depth of 393 fsw I hit on this dive I was greeted by these large and tame fish. I was within inches of these fish and one around 5ft bumped me. The wreck sits on her Keel and is in great shape. This is one of the best dives I have ever done. Vessel is a German Torpedo-boat Destroyer 261x 27 x 13
Washington - The wreck was sunk as a reduction of arms for WW I before it was complete. The site sits in 300 fsw water and is upside down. Only very good technical divers should go here. Vessel is a Battleship 624 x 97 x 30 See Washington trip in Stories.
Webster - The wreck has no artifact value and is only good for spearfishing. The fish are big, but smart. The site is 115 fsw and big.
Other Wrecks
Skyecliffe,
FL - The wreck sits in 200 fsw and is an artificial site. It is about a mile NNE of Boynton Inlet . The wreck sits on its keel and is intact. I do not normally like artificial wrecks, but this one is an exception. The 317 ft freighter stills has artifacts on it to recover. I on a single dive saw at least 3 or 4 things to recover and did recover the manufactures label plate for the Generator. It is also a very photogenic wreck and a video made by Ray Meen Jr. titled "Skyecliffe Over Time" can be purchased by emailing him at ray_m@euclid.emi.net to get this video. There is at times a very strong current on this wreck and is covered with a lot of fishing line. Instructors should only take students to this wreck on trimix and at the end of there training. A combination of dives on AIR and inexperience have lead to trouble on this wreck before.
Andy
- FL - I know little of the wreck other than it is an artificial wreck that sits in 200fsw and has nothing to offer a wreck diver other than depth and a pleasant dive. The wreck I believe is a Freighter and sits on her keel. The wreck is an easy dive for those wishing to dive a little deeper than most divers.
Andrea
Doria - NY - This wreck sits in 250 fsw. The Andrea Doria is said to be one of the three top wreck dives in the world. To dive the wreck places the diver in the unique category of being a true technical wreck diver. Many divers have gone to the wreck thinking they were ready for the dive, only to be humbled by this massive wreck. Make your plan before you go and truly try to stick to it. Regardless of what you see other divers bringing back up from the wreck. My best advice is to go with someone who has dived it before and ask if you can follow them on their dive. Anyone who has a problem with low vis or cold temperatures should avoid this dive. Vessel is a Passenger Liner 700 x 90 x 45. Read more in the Dive Stories section.
Budweiser
- FL - This wreck sits in 90 fsw. This wreck is not challenging and should be an easy dive for anyone certified beyond Open Water I. What makes this dive unique is not the wreck itself, but the fact that another wreck lays just off the starboard bow. This other wreck is the Swordfish which I was told belonged to Mel Fisher and was in fact the boat that his son and daughter-in-law lost their life on. You can reach this wreck with the aid of a wreck reel and a short swim. Vessel is a freighter 167 feet long.
Becks
- FL - This wreck sits in 85 fsw and is a freighter. This wreck is completely in tack and is nicknamed the Captain Tony. This wreck is also not a challenge and should be an easy dive for anyone beyond Open Water I. The clear warm water and abundance of tropical fish make this an enjoyable dive.
Duane
- FL - This wreck sits in 120 fsw .The wreck sits up right on its keel and is a major attraction for marine life. I highly recommend the wreck due to its photogenic qualities. The strong current on this wreck makes it un-divable sometimes. Vessel is a Coast Guard Cutter 327 feet long.
Eagle
- FL - This wreck sits in 110 fsw. This wreck rests on its starboard side. You will often encounter a large Jew fish on this wreck if you are lucky to be the first diver in the water. Several different kinds of school fish frequent the wreck making it a photogenic dive. There is also a cargo hold you can enter which has an air pocket. You can actually stick your head out of the water and talk to other divers but take caution as the air is stale. Always draw your breath from your regulator !! Vessel is a freighter 287 feet long.
18
Fathom - SC - This wreck sits in 120 fsw and little more than that is known about the wreck. It is a great dive and will yield many artifacts. Marine life is abundant and the wreck is hardly ever dived due to its location far from shore. I highly recommend this dive if you ever get the chance.
Governor
- SC - This wreck sits in 80 fsw and is a Civil War wreck. It has yield many artifacts, such as muskets, belt buckles, and uniform buttons. The wreck is little more than a shaft on the bottom with a majority of the wreck being covered by sand. It is definitely a digging wreck and vis will deteriorate shortly after the digging commences. I personally do not care for this wreck.
JUNO
(???) - MD - This may or may not be the Juno, it sits in 180 fsw and is a very interesting site.
Saint
Cathian - SC - This wreck sits in 105 fsw and is a very good dive. Several artifacts can be found, such as ceramic jugs and portholes. I found one porthole, which I spent 45 minutes working on, but was unable to remove it. The marine life is very abundant.
Vitric
- FL - The wreck sits in 309fsw and has only been dived by a very few divers. I was invited to dive the wreck with the AUE group in FL. It is a natural wreck and offers a wreck diver a chance to explore its history. Mostly all that is left are the containers that were used to carry molasses . Most if not all of the wood that was the hull is gone.
